Cheerleading 'Tryout Look' Photo Sparks Student Backlash

(SEATTLE) — Want to be a cheerleader at the University of Washington? Make sure not to wear too much makeup or distracting fingernail polish. And don’t wear a top that covers the midriff.

These were some of the tips given in a graphic made by a member of the University of Washington spirit leadership team. According to the university’s athletics department the graphic was aimed at providing information for interested students preparing for tryouts.

The graphic, which was posted on the University of Washington Cheerleading Facebook page on Monday lists the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for makeup, hair, clothes and even body type.

The cheerleading team is coed, but there was no tryout tips graphic made for male cheerleaders.

The student government, Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW), released a statement on the graphic saying that it, “completely objectifies women and creates barriers that only perpetuates the inaccessibility of opportunities that should be open for every student on this campus.”

The criticism caused the athletics department to take the photo down by Tuesday morning.

“The graphic was removed immediately, after a UW athletic department official saw it and determined that some of the details and descriptions provided were inconsistent with the values of the UW spirit program and department of athletics,” University of Washington athletics spokesperson Carter Henderson said in a statement.

Washington State University Cheer and Louisiana State University Cheerleading Facebook pages have also posted similar tryout tip photos.

The university’s cheerleading team has tryouts this Friday and Saturday.